By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
RENO COUNTY— Authorities found the body of one person who died in the Cottonwood Complex fire in Reno County.
A second person who was missing has been found and is safe, according to Fire Chief Steve Beer.
Five task force units remained on the scene Sunday. Crews are also making detailed damage assessments.
Both shelters at Burrton High School and the Hutchinson Salvation Army are closed and all of those needing assistance are being handled by the Red Cross on a case-by-case basis. The cause of the fire has not been determined at this time and it will be several days before the fire is brought under control.
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RENO COUNTY —The Cottonwood Complex fire began just after 12:3op.m. Saturday south of 4th Avenue near Willison. The fire quickly jumped Buhler Road and went east. The fire has burned about 12 square miles. There have been civilian injuries and one person is still reported as missing. If you have loved ones missing, you're asked to call 911. A 211 number has been set up to help with donations for those displaced by the fire.
A large number of structures were damaged or destroyed but the extent of the damage won't be known until Sunday. Crews continue to put out areas of fire within the area burned. Evergy is working to restore power to the area.
The following roads were still closed last Saturday. 4th Avenue and Avenue G from Buhler Road to the county line and Victory, Rayl and Worthington roads in those areas.
All other roads are open as of 11 p.m. but people are asked to stay out of the area due to the large number of trucks and other equipment in the area.
A temporary flight restriction is in place in the burned-out area due to aerial fire fighting efforts that will continue into tomorrow. Black Hawk helicopters are expected to assist starting tomorrow. That includes drones. Residents are being allowed back to their homes but any other traffic is not allowed. Cattle pens have been set up at the Gray residence at 8115 E. 4th Ave. for those who need to use them for livestock.
Officials do not know how serious the civilian injuries were and did say one fire truck was involved in an accident today. Crews will be working for several days to finish up the fire and a favorable forecast is calling for lighter winds and a chance of rain on Sunday. The fire department says it will hold another press conference Sunday morning.
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HUTCHINSON— Hutchinson fire crews along with crews from Rice, McPherson, Harvey and Sedgwick counties are fighting a grass fire east of Hutchinson.
Evacuations are being recommended for residents along 30th Avenue between Buhler and Rayle Roads. Evacuations are also being ordered for residents along Avenue G between Buhler and Rayle.
Evacuations have been ordered for areas around the Palomino Development, residents around the old Cottonwood Hills golf course and all residents from Buhler Road to Rayle Road along 30th Avenue.
A shelter was established at the Salvation Army in Hutchinson for those being evacuated, according to Adam Weishaar of Reno County Emergency Management. The Kansas Department of Emergency management dispatched two Black Hawk helicopters to help with the aerial efforts to fight the fire.
The blaze started around 12:37 at 800 Willison which is about a mile west of Buhler Road. The fire quickly jumped into the old Cottonwood Hills golf course and raced east into Harvey County.